Sports shirt with pocket for electronics

ABSTRACT

A shirt garment has a shirt body having a neck opening. The shirt body has a front portion and a back portion for respectively covering a front of a torso and a back of the torso of a user when the shirt garment is worn by the user. A pocket provided on the back portion of the shirt body, between the first and second sleeves and below the collar. The pocket is configured to receive an electronic device having at least one sensor or monitor for sensing or monitoring. The shirt body is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user and to force the electronic device against the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and the shirt garment is worn by the user.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates shirts or other apparel configured to be worn by a user and for holding one or more electronic devices for monitoring geographic location, orientation of the user, one or more biological conditions of the user, one or more environmental conditions, or a combination thereof, when the shirt or other apparel is worn by the user.

A trend in modern athletics involves the use of a monitor carried by the athlete, or by each athlete in a team sport. Electronic devices such as smart watches have been developed to monitor certain biological conditions of the user, when the device is worn by the user. Certain garments have been developed with built-in sensors for monitoring performance metrics or the heart rate of the user wearing the garment.

As the technology of portable monitors improves, such devices are becoming more popular for individual training activities, as well as team sports activities. The present disclosure describes various improvements in sports apparel for enabling a user to carry an electronic sensing or monitoring device, while conducting aggressive physical activities such as, but not limited to athletics, sports, physical training, or the like.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a shirt garment including a shirt body having a collar surrounding a neck opening. The shirt body has a front portion and a back portion for respectively covering a front of a torso and a back of the torso of a user when the shirt garment is worn by the user, and first and second sleeves extending from the shirt body. Each sleeve having an arm opening. A pocket is provided on the back portion of the shirt body, between the first and second sleeves and below the collar. The pocket is configured to hold an electronic device having at least one sensor or monitor for sensing or monitoring.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the shirt body is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the shirt body is configured to force the electronic device against the user's body by the compression fit or form fit of the shirt body on the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the pocket is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the electronic device, when the electronic device is received in the pocket.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the compression material of the pocket is further configured to force the electronic device against the user's body by the compression fit or form fit of the shirt body on the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the pocket has an interior volume for receiving the electronic device, and a flap for covering an opening to the interior volume of the pocket, and the flap is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized to compress over the opening to the interior volume of the pocket when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples, the shirt garment further includes a cushioning or padding material provided on the pocket.

In certain examples, the shirt garment further includes a cushioning or padding material provided between the pocket and a portion of the shirt body.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the first and second sleeves are long sleeves that are configured to extend to the user's wrists when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the first and second sleeves are short sleeves that are configured to extend part way, but not all the way to the user's elbows when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises an elastane material or polyether-polyurea copolymer material.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises spandex or Lycra™.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces outward and away from the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces inward, toward the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user. Further examples relate to a shirt garment including a shirt body having a neck opening, a front portion and a back portion for respectively covering a front of a torso and a back of the torso of a user when the shirt garment is worn by the user. The shirt body has first and second arm openings. A pocket provided on the back portion of the shirt body, between the first and second sleeves and below the collar, where the pocket is configured to receive an electronic device having at least one sensor or monitor for sensing or monitoring, and where the shirt body is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user and to force the electronic device against the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of the shirt garment, the pocket has an interior volume for receiving the electronic device, and a flap for covering an opening to the interior volume of the pocket, and the flap is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized to compress over the opening to the interior volume of the pocket when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of that shirt garment, the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises an elastane material or polyether-polyurea copolymer material.

In certain examples of that shirt garment, the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises spandex or Lycra™.

In certain examples of that shirt garment, the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces outward and away from the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

In certain examples of that shirt garment, the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces inward, toward the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, front view of an example of a shirt garment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, rear view of the example shirt garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a pocket of the shirt garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the pocket of FIG. 3 on a shirt garment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic device to be received in the pocket of FIGS. 3 and 4 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective, front view of another example of a shirt garment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective, rear view of the example shirt garment of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective, front view of yet another example of a shirt garment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective, rear view of the example shirt garment of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective, front view of yet another example of a shirt garment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective, rear view of the example shirt garment of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective, front view of yet another example of a shirt garment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective, rear view of the example shirt garment of FIG. 12 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present invention may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof may not be repeated. Further, features or aspects within each example embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other example embodiments.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “bottom,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “secured to” or “attached to” another element or feature, it can be directly on, connected to, coupled to, secured to or attached to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” “has,” “have,” and “having,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” “generally” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present invention refers to “one or more embodiments of the present invention.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

According to various examples described herein, a shirt, vest, jacket, or other garment configured to be worn by a user is provided with one or more pockets for holding one or more electronic devices. The one or more electronic devices may include a device for monitoring geographic location, orientation of the user, one or more biological conditions of the user, one or more environmental conditions, or a combination thereof, when the shirt or other apparel is worn by the user.

In particular examples, the garment is configured to be worn during a sports activity or other physical activity. Accordingly, in particular examples, the garment is sports apparel, part of a sports team uniform, or the like. In some examples, the garment is configured to qualify as the shirt of a standard team uniform for sports events or other events in which the type of garment is regulated. In certain examples, garments as described herein may be worn by each member of a team (or of competing teams) during a sporting activity between the teams. In other examples, the garment may be configured to be worn by a patient user for medical treatments, medical monitoring or other medical activities.

In certain examples, the garment is configured with a single pocket to hold a single electronic device, to minimize the volume required by and weight added by the electronic device to the garment. In other examples, the garment may include more than one pocket to hold more than one electronic device.

A pocket for holding an electronic device may be provided at a location on the garment selected to reduce, minimize or eliminate user discomfort from the volume or weight of an electronic device carried in the pocket. Additionally or alternatively, a pocket for holding an electronic device may be provided at a location on the garment selected to locate one or more sensors of the electronic device at one or more selected positions adjacent selected body locations of the user, to sense one or more biological conditions of the user when the garment is worn by the user. Additionally or alternatively, a pocket for holding an electronic device may be provided at a location on the garment that can be readily reached and accessed by the user by either hand, but that also does not obstruct the user's physical movements or performance, when the garment is worn by the user. To achieve one or more (or each) of those objectives or other objectives, certain examples described herein include a pocket for holding an electronic device, where the pocket is provided at a location on the garment to be directly adjacent the base of the back of the user's neck or directly adjacent the upper, back torso of the user, when the garment is worn by the user. In some examples, that pocket location is just below the neck opening or collar of the shirt garment. In other examples, one or more pockets may be provided at other locations such as, but not limited to one or each shoulder or shoulder pad of the shirt garment.

A shirt garment 10 according to an example embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The front of the shirt garment 10 faces outward from the page in FIG. 1 . The back of the shirt garment 10 faces outward from the page in FIG. 2 . The shirt garment 10 is configured to be worn on the torso of a user and includes a neck opening 12 surrounded by a collar, right and left arm openings 14 and 16, and a bottom opening 18. The shirt garment 10 is a short-sleeve shirt and has a right sleeve 20 and left sleeve 22, each extending part way toward the elbow of the user when the garment 10 is worn. In some examples, a team logo, other logo, or other indicia 24 may be provided on the front of the shirt garment 10, by printing, stitching, embroidering, patchwork, or the like.

In the example in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shirt 10 has a pocket 26 provided on the back of the shirt 10, just below the neck opening 12 or collar. In some examples, the pocket 26 is formed in or partially in the collar surrounding the neck opening 12. The pocket 26 in the example in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided on the back side of the shirt garment 10 (on the back side of the fabric material that forms the shirt garment 10, facing away from the user when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user). In other examples, the pocket 26 may be provided on the inside surface of the shirt garment 10 (on the surface that faces the user, when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user).

In particular examples, the shirt garment 10 (and/or the collar or the shirt garment 10) is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material as used in compression sportswear, and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user. The compression material may include, but is not limited to a spandex, Lycra™ or other elastane material or polyether-polyurea copolymer material, or other resiliently flexible material suitable for apparel. In particular examples, the compression material of the shirt garment 10 is configured (with the shape and stitching of the shirt garment) to force or press the pocket 26 against a user (against the back of the user's torso, just below the neck in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user. In those examples, an electronic device held within the pocket 26 may be forced or pressed against the back of the user's torso, just below the user's neck, to enable sensors in the electronic device to more accurately detect certain biological conditions of the user when the shirt garment is worn by the user. In other examples, one or more pockets 26 may be provided at one or more other suitable locations on the shirt garment 10 in addition to, or as an alternative to the pocket location in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

In other examples, the shirt garment 10 may be made of other suitable material or materials, such as, but not limited to one or more other synthetic fabrics, natural fabrics, hybrids of natural/synthetic fabrics, combinations thereof with or without compression material, or the like. Those natural fabrics may include, but are not limited to cotton, linen, silk, hemp, or the like. Those synthetic fabrics may include, but are not limited to nylon, polyester, acrylic, neoprene, or the like. In certain examples, the material or materials forming the shirt garment 10 are configured and sized to provide a compression fit on a user. In particular examples, the compression fitting material is configured to force or press the shirt garment 10 (including each pocket on the garment) against the user's torso and neck region, when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user. In other examples, certain portions of the shirt garment 10 may be loose fitting, when worn by the user, but are configured to provide a relatively firm, tight fit or a compression fit across the back of the user's shoulders when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user, to force or press the pocket 26 (and an electrical device 40 in the pocket 26) against the user.

An example of the pocket 26 is shown in FIG. 3 . A cross-section view of the pocket 26 on a surface of the fabric material of the shirt garment 10 is shown in FIG. 4 . The pocket 26 may be formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to the same fabric material or materials of the rest of the shirt garment 10. In particular examples, the material of the pocket 26 is secured to the fabric material of the shirt garment 10 by a permanent securing mechanism such as, but not limited to stitching, sewing, heat-activated adhesives, other permanent adhesives, combinations thereof, or the like. In those examples, the pocket 26 would remain on the shirt garment 10 during washing and drying. In other examples, the material of the pocket 26 is secured to the fabric material of the shirt garment 10 by a securing mechanism that is selectively removable, such as, but not limited to a hook-and-loop fastening material (e.g., Velcro™) releasable adhesives, or the like. In those examples, the pocket 26 may be selectively removed from the shirt garment 10 for washing or drying, or for water-sports activities.

In the example in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pocket 26 forms an inner volume 28 in which an electronic device may be selectively received. The inner volume 28 of the pocket 26 has an open end 29 facing toward the top of the shirt (or the top of the collar) when the shirt is worn. The pocket 26 also has a top flap portion 30 that extends over the open end 29 of the inner volume 28, and covers or encloses the inner volume 28. In particular examples, the top flap portion 30 helps to retain the electronic device within the inner volume 28 of the pocket 26, when the electronic device is received in the inner volume 28. Accordingly, the top flap portion 30 may help retain the electronic device within the pocket 26 during aggressive athletic or sports activities or other physical activities.

In particular examples, the top flap portion 30 may help to keep the inner volume 28 of the pocket 26 sealed to inhibit the ingress of moisture to inner volume 28 (and to an electronic device received in the inner volume 28). In those or other examples, the flap portion 30 (and/or other portions of the pocket 26) may be made of a compression material as described herein, that forces or presses the flap portion 30 toward a closed position (toward the fabric material of the shirt garment 10), to help seal the inner volume 28.

In the example in FIG. 4 , the pocket 26 has a back wall 32 that lays against a surface of the fabric material of the shirt garment 10. In other examples, the back wall 32 of the pocket 26 may be omitted, or may include one or more holes, slots or other openings, to reduce the layers of fabric material between an electronic device located in the pocket 26 and the skin of the user wearing the shirt garment 10. In yet other examples, the fabric material of the shirt garment 10 may include one or more holes, slots or other openings (which may or may not be aligned with holes, slots or openings in the back wall 32 of the pocket 26), to reduce or omit layers of fabric material between an electronic device located in the pocket 26 and the skin of the user wearing the shirt garment 10. In those examples, one or more sensors on the electronic device may be aligned with the one or more holes, slots or other openings, to enhance the sensitivity or the ability of the sensors to detect one or more biological conditions of the user when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user.

In particular examples, the interior volume 28 of the pocket 26 has a shape that matches and corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of an electronic device, such that the electronic device can snuggly fit within the interior space of the pocket. In certain examples, the material forming the pocket 26 may be resiliently expandable and compressible, to compress around the electronic device, when the electronic device is received in the interior volume 28, to help retain the electronic device within the interior volume and/or to reduce or eliminate any gaps or space within the interior volume 28, around the electronic device, that may otherwise collect moisture or enable movement of the electronic device within the pocket 26.

An example of an electronic device 40 that may be received within the pocket 26 is represented in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 . In particular examples, the electronic device includes one or more sensors and appropriate sensor electronics (combination represented by reference 42) to detect or measure one or more biological or performance metrics of the user, such as, but not limited to heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, speed, acceleration, position or location, direction heading, orientation or energy expenditure of a user.

The one or more sensors may include, but are not limited to one or more global position system (GPS) position or location sensor for detecting one or more of the position, location, speed, or acceleration of the user, for example, on an athletic field or track. The one or more sensors may include an accelerometer, a 3D-accelerometer, a gyroscope, a 3D-gyroscope, a magnetometer, a gyrometer, or other device for detecting the position or orientation of the user.

Alternatively or in addition, the one or more sensors may include a microphone sensor for sensing respiration rate, heart rate or other audible parameters of the user. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more sensors may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor or other cardio sensor for sensing heart rate, cardio rhythm and other cardio parameters of the user. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more sensors may include a thermometer or other temperature sensor for detecting the body temperature of the user. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more sensors 42 may include one or more sensors for detecting or measuring environmental or atmospheric conditions such as, but not limited to one or more of environmental temperature, humidity level, moisture level, oxygen level, or other environmental or atmospheric condition.

In particular examples, the electronic device 40 includes transmission electronics 44 for wireless transmission of data representing the detected or measured biological or performance metrics, and/or environmental or atmospheric conditions. The transmission electronics may include, but are not limited to one or more of a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a WiFi transmitter, Bluetooth transmitter or other suitable transmission electronics. In some examples, the electronic device 40 includes reception electronics (as an alternative or in addition to the transmission electronics 44) for wireless reception of signals such as, but not limited to, signals for setting one or more controls of the electronic device 40.

In particular examples, the electronic device 40 includes non-transient, electronic memory 46 for recording data representing the detected or measured biological or performance metrics, and/or environmental or atmospheric conditions. The recorded data may be selectively read from the memory 46 by an external communication device (not shown) that may connect to the electronic device 40 through the transmission electronics 44 or through an access port (not shown).

In particular examples, the electronic device 40 includes processing electronics 48, such as, but not limited to one or more microprocessors, or other processing electronics. The processing electronics 48 may be configured to control sensor operation, manage or process signals or data from the sensor and/or the management of data representing the detected or measured biological or performance metrics, and/or environmental or atmospheric conditions. The electronic device 40 also includes a power source 49 for providing electrical power to the processing electronics 48, the memory 46, the transmission electronics 44 and the one or more sensors 42. The power source 49 may include one or more batteries, solar cells, or other suitable electrical power source.

In some examples, the electronic device 40 includes an outer housing 50 that holds or contains the power source 49, the processing electronics 48, the memory 46, the transmission electronics 44 and the one or more sensors 42. The housing 50 may have any suitable shape or size, but, preferably, has a shape, size and weight that fits within the pocket 26 (within at least a portion of the interior volume 28 of the pocket 26). In one example, the size of the housing 50 of the electronic device 40 is about 81 mm, by about 43 mm, by about 16 mm, or corresponding ratios of length, width and thickness. Other examples may have other suitable housing sizes.

In the example in FIG. 5 , the housing 50 of the electronic device 40 has rounded ends (top and bottom ends in the orientation in FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, in the illustrated examples herein, the pocket 26 has a rounded or curved bottom end that matches and corresponds to the rounded curvature of a bottom end of the housing 50, when the electronic device is received in the pocket 26. Therefore, the curved bottom end of the electronic device 40 may be easily slipped through the open end 29 of the interior volume 28 of the pocket 26 and be further slipped snuggly into the curved bottom end of the pocket 26. Similarly, the electronic device 40 may be selectively gripped and pulled out of the pocket 26, with minimal interference, to selectively remove the electronic device 40 from the pocket 26.

Examples of an electronic device 40 that may be received in the pocket 26 is the Vector™, Catapult One™ or other wearable device made by Catapult Sports™ (of Catapult Group International Ltd. Examples of an electronic device 40 is also described with regard to the “participant monitor” described in published U.S. patent application 2015/0097700. Other examples include, but are not limited to the Apex™ GPS tracker from StatSports™, player tags from Zebra Motionworks™, player-worn sensors from Kinexon™, or player-carried sensors from RealTrack Systems™. Other examples may include other suitable electronic devices having some or all of the features described herein with regard to the electronic device 40.

When the electronic device 40 is received in the pocket 26, and the shirt garment 10 is worn by a user, the electronic device 40 may sense biological or performance data (or both) of the user, location or orientation position of the user (or both), environmental or atmospheric data (or both), or any combination thereof. The data may be stored in the memory 46 of the electronic device 40 during an athletic activity, and read out after the athletic activity. Alternatively or in addition, the data may be transmitted by the transmission electronics 44 to an external communication or computing device. The external device may include an access point for the Internet (or other wide area network or other network) to enable data communication between the electronic device 40 and other devices or systems on the network including, but not limited to a central station system. The data may be displayed, analyzed, processed or combinations thereof, by display electronics and computing electronics of the external device or of the central station.

The shirt garment 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a short-sleeve shirt configuration, and includes sleeves 20 and 21 and a full body portion of the shirt (to cover the full front and rear torso of a user, when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user. The full body portion of the shirt and the sleeves, in combination with the resiliently expandable (compression) material of the shirt garment 10 enables the pocket 26 to be maintained in a stable position relative to the user, while being pressed against the user's body, when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user. The stable position against the user's body can improve sensing capability and accuracy. The snug fitting size of the interior volume 28 of the pocket 26 relative to the external dimensions of the electronic device 40 and the flap portion 30, in combination with the resiliently expandable (compression) material of the pocket 26 enables the pocket 26 to retain the electronic device 40 within the interior volume 28, even during aggressive sporting activities or other aggressive physical activities.

In other examples, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a shirt garment 60 has a long sleeve (or full sleeve) configuration. The front of the shirt garment 60 faces outward from the page in FIG. 6 . The back of the shirt garment 60 faces outward from the page in FIG. 7 . The shirt garment 60 may correspond to the description of the shirt garment 10 herein, but includes long (or full) sleeves 62 and 64 that are configured to extend to the wrist of a user, when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user.

The shirt garment 60 includes a pocket 66 (corresponding in structure and function to the pocket 26 of the shirt garment 10) configured to receive an electronic device 40. In the example in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pocket 66 is located on the back of the shirt garment 60, on the back side of the shirt fabric material that faces away from the user when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user. In other examples, the pocket 66 may be provided on the inside surface of the shirt garment 60, on the surface that faces the user when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user). The long or full sleeve length can provide additional stability to the position of the pocket 66 (and of an electronic device 40 received in the pocket 66) on the user, when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user.

In other examples, as shown in FIGS. 8-11 , a shirt garment 70 has no sleeves (or a sleeveless configuration). The front of the shirt garment 70 faces outward from the page in FIGS. 8 and 10 . The back of the shirt garment 70 faces outward from the page in FIGS. 9 and 11 . The shirt garment 70 may correspond to the description of the shirt garment 10 herein, but has no sleeves.

The shirt garment 70 includes a pocket 76 (corresponding in structure and function to the pocket 26 of the shirt garment 10) configured to receive an electronic device 40. In the example in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the pocket 76 is located on the back of the shirt garment 70, on the back side of the shirt fabric material that faces away from the user when the shirt garment 70 is worn by the user. In the example in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pocket 76 is provided on the inside surface of the shirt garment 70, on the surface that faces the user when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user).

In yet other examples, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , a shirt garment 80 has another sleeveless configuration. The front of the shirt garment 80 faces outward from the page in FIG. 12 . The back of the shirt garment 80 faces outward from the page in FIG. 13 . The shirt garment 80 may correspond to the description of the shirt garment 10 herein, but has no sleeves and larger arm openings as compared to the examples in FIGS. 8-11 .

The shirt garment 80 includes a pocket 86 (corresponding in structure and function to the pocket 26 of the shirt garment 10) configured to receive an electronic device 40. In the example in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the pocket 86 is located on the back of the shirt garment 80, on the back side of the shirt fabric material that faces away from the user when the shirt garment 80 is worn by the user. In other examples, the pocket 86 may be provided on the inside surface of the shirt garment 80, on the surface that faces the user when the shirt garment 60 is worn by the user).

In any of the examples described herein, the pocket 26 (or the pocket 66, 76 or 86) may include padding or cushioning material to improve the comfort of the shirt garment around the pocket 26. In some examples the padding or cushioning material may include one or more layers of resiliently compressible material such as, but not limited to a foam rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, or other natural or synthetic cushioning material. The one or more layers may be provided on and contiguous with some or all of the material forming the pocket 26. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more layers may be provided between the back wall 32 of the pocket 26 and the material that forms the body of the shirt garment 10. In other examples, the one or more layers may be provided on the material that forms the body of the shirt garment 10, to be between the user and the body of the shirt garment 10, when the shirt garment 10 is worn by the user. In those or other examples, a separate sleeve made of padding or cushioning material as described herein may be provided with the shirt garment 10, where the padded sleeve is sized and shaped to receive and fit around the electronic device 40, and to fit inside the pocket 26 with the electronic device received in the sleeve.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting, and modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Thus, while certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims, and equivalents thereof. 

1. A shirt garment comprising: a shirt body having a collar surrounding a neck opening, the shirt body having a front portion and a back portion for respectively covering a front of a torso and a back of the torso of a user when the shirt garment is worn by the user; first and second sleeves extending from the shirt body, each sleeve having an arm opening; a pocket provided on the back portion of the shirt body, between the first and second sleeves and below the collar; wherein the pocket is configured to hold an electronic device having at least one sensor or monitor for sensing or monitoring; wherein the pocket has an interior volume for receiving the electronic device, an opening into the interior volume of the pocket, and a flap extending from the collar and covering the opening of the pocket; and wherein the flap is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material that extends over the opening of the pocket and is sized to compress over the opening when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 2. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the shirt body is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user.
 3. The shirt garment of claim 2, wherein the shirt body is configured to force the electronic device against the user's body by the compression fit or form fit of the shirt body on the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 4. The shirt garment of claim 2, wherein the pocket is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the electronic device, when the electronic device is received in the pocket.
 5. The shirt garment of claim 4, wherein the compression material of the pocket is further configured to force the electronic device against the user's body by the compression fit or form fit of the shirt body on the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are long sleeves that are configured to extend to the user's wrists when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 10. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are short sleeves that are configured to extend part way, but not all the way to the user's elbows when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 11. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises an elastane material or polyether-polyurea copolymer material.
 12. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises spandex_.
 13. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces outward and away from the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 14. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces inward, toward the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 15. A shirt garment comprising: a shirt body having a neck opening surrounded by a collar, the shirt body having a front portion and a back portion for respectively covering a front of a torso and a back of the torso of a user when the shirt garment is worn by the user, the shirt body having first and second arm openings; a pocket provided on the back portion of the shirt body, between the first and second arm openings and below the neck opening; wherein the pocket is configured to receive an electronic device having at least one sensor or monitor for sensing or monitoring; and wherein the shirt body is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material and is sized for a compression fit or form-fit on the user and to force the electronic device against the user, when the electronic device is received in the pocket and the shirt garment is worn by the user; wherein the pocket has an interior volume for receiving the electronic device, an opening into the interior of the pocket, and a flap extending from the collar and covering the opening of the pocket; and wherein the flap is made of a resiliently stretchable, compression material that extends over the opening of the pocket and is sized to compress over the opening when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The shirt garment of claim 15, wherein the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises an elastane material or polyether-polyurea copolymer material.
 18. The shirt garment of claim 15, wherein the resiliently stretchable, compression material comprises spandex.
 19. The shirt garment of claim 15, wherein the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces outward and away from the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 20. The shirt garment of claim 15, wherein the pocket is provided on a surface of the shirt body that faces inward, toward the user, when the shirt garment is worn by the user.
 21. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the shirt body includes a logo or other indicia identifying a team.
 22. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket has a top edge that is directly adjacent or in contact with the collar of the shirt body.
 23. The shirt garment of claim 1, wherein the flap is stitched to the shirt body and to the pocket along a portion of each of two lateral sides of the flap. 